Drip-cup for refrigerators.



A. MAY. DRIP GU;J FOR REFRIGERATORS. APPLIUATIQN PILED PEB. 25, 1909.

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A. MAY. DRIP CUP POR REFRIGERATORS. APPLIGATION PILED PER. 25, 1909.

Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

2 SHEETB-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS MAY, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

DRIP-CUP FOR REFRIGEBATORS.

932,s7s. i

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS MAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans'and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Drip-Cups for Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drip cups for retrigerators, ice-boxes and the like, and the ohjects of the same are to provide a device of this class which will etticiently carry oti' the drainage, exclude hot air from the interior of the refrigerator, ice-box or the like, to prevent ingress of bug, and small insects into the refrigerator or cooling receptacle to which the cup is applied, and to preserve sanitary conditions within the refrigerator by having the cup removable and capable ot being readily cleansed.

Tu addition to the desirable functions in drip cup constructions just enumerated, the improved drip cup is Conveniently accessible as it is disposed in position from the iuterior of the refrigerator or like device and may be readily reached at any time and withdrawn and reset without requiring displacement of the refrigerator or cooling receptacle to which the improved cup is applieda The improved drip cup essentially comprises two elements, namely, an outer containing receptacle or member, and an inner drainage directing or delivery receptacle which is rotatably disposed in the outer receptacle or member, both of these devices being tubular and removable from the re- :t'rigerator or other cooling device. As a secondary feature a smaller drainage tube eX- tends downwardly into the inner tubular receptacle and may project any distance above the top of both receptacles or terminate approximately in a plane coincidentwith the top of the inner rotatable receptacle in accordance with the particular requirements of different refrgerator or ice-box Constructions and the mode of applying the improved drip cup thereto.

The invention also consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinai'ter specified.

In the drawing: Figure l is a sectional view of a portion of a refrigerator showing the improved drip cup applied thereto and also illustrated in section and as having the drainage pipe extending `from a point above Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 25, 1909.

ldevice being shown by Fig. 5.

Serial No. &79,909.

the location of the drip cup, as for instance in communication with the 1ce chamber, not shown. Fig. 2 illustrates detail perspective Views of the drip cup members or elements -disassociated and constructed for use with an ordinary refrigerator having the ice chamber at an elevation above the bottom of the refrigerator. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the inner and outer tubular members of the drip cup as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and illustrating the openings in both members in registration. Fig. tis a view similar to Fi'g. 3 showing the inner member turned within the outer member and the openings in the two members out of registration. Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the form of drip cup particularly adapted for use with ice boxes or refrigerating devices wherein the ice is disposed against the bottom, a portion of the iee box or analogous Fig. 6 is a detail elevation, partially in section, showing a modification of the Construction illusr trated by Fig. 1 and particularly relating to the drain tube section or connection between the cup and drip pipe of the refrigerator.

Fig. 7 is a detail view in sectional elevation showing a further modification relating to the structure shown by Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a detail plan View, partially in section, showing a modification of the structure illustrated by Fig. 5.

The numeral 5 designates a refrigerator of any suitable Construction having a storage chamber G for articles desired to be preserved by refrigeration. Projecting downwardly into the chamber 6 is a drip or drainage pipe 7 which terminates and communicates at its upper end with the usual ice chamber, not shown. In the bottom 8 of the refrigerator an opening 9 is formed at any point desired, and therein is fitted an outertubular member or containing receptacle 10 having a lower closed bottom 11, an opening 12 in the side thereof at a point above the bottom, and an upper open end 13 having a horizontal fiange or rim 14 with a packing or gasket 15 secured against the under side thereof and of any suitable material. The packing or gasket 15 ,is adapted to be snugly and tightly held against the upper surface of the bottom 8 around the upper extremity of the opening 9, as shown by Fig. 1. p

y `Within the tubular member 10 an inner tubular member 10 of smaller diameter is Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

rotatably mounted and has a fully open bottom 17, an Opening 18 at a distance above the lower end thereot to register with the opening 12 in the member 10, and an upper cap 19 having an outwardly projecting circumterential fiange 20 with a packing or gasket 21 applied to the under side thereot and similar to the packing or gasket 15. The gasket or packing 21 is adapted to tightly bear on the upper surface of the fiange 14 at the upper end of the member 10 and form a tight o'int with said fiange.

Eccentrically formed in the cap 19 is an opening 22 through which extends the lower portion of a drainage tube section 23 telescopically fitted or applied to the drip or drainage pipe 7 and having at an intermediate point a circumferential stop flange 24 with a gasket 25 of suitable material fixed against the under side thereof to bear on the cap 19 over the opening 22 and thereby close the latter opening and also maintain the lower portion of the drainage tube section 23 projected a predetermined distance downwardly within the inner tubular member 16. The lower end of the drainage tube section 23 is :tully open, but the remaining part of such section is imperforate and the drip or drainage water fiows downwardly through the said section 23 into the outer tubular member 10; A water seal 26 is provided within the outer tubular member or receptacle 10 below the opening` 12 and fully covering the lower extremity or open end of the drainage tube section 23, this water seal being maintained at all times and excluding exterior warm air from the interior of the refrigerator and also preventing the ingress of bugs or insects and surrounding impure gases. The aceumulation of drainage or drip water within the cup is gradually relieved by overflowing through the opening 12, the latter constituting an outlet, and from the said outlet the drainage water overfiowing from the cup may fall into a suitable receptacle or other means placed under the eup. Insects, noxious odors or gases, and heated air currents are prevented from passing into the retrigerator above the water seal by the several packings or gaskets 15, 21 and 25 bearing respectively on the bottom 8 of the refrigerator, the tlange 1 1 of the outer tubular member, and the cap 19 of the inner rotatable tubular member.

lVhen it is desired to remove the cup, the tube section is pushed upwardly over the drainage pipe 7 tar enough to clear the members 10 and 16, and the member 16 is then rotated in the member 10 to turn the opening 16 out ot' registration with relation to the opening 12 to prevent the water from slopping out through the outlet opening when the outer and inner tubular members are unitedly withdrawn or removed from the opening 8 upwardly into the retrigerator ing surroundel by a t rauged at opposit and outwardly through the door of the latter, and which operation may be readily accoinplished after the tube section, 23 is elevated or disengaged from the said members, and said tube section can also be disengaged from the pipe 7 and likewise withdrawn trom the refrigerator. The members 10 and 16 after withdrawal may be separated and thoroughly cleansed and reassembled and placed .in position in the opening 9 from the interier ot' the refrigerator and the tube section reinserted in place, and subsequently the said tube section 23 may be readily drawn downwardly and inserted through the opening 22 and projected into normal position within the two tubular members 10 and 16, it being understoed that the member 16 will. first be turned or rotated to again bring its opening 18 into registration with the opening 12.

The modified term of thedcyice as shown by Fig. is particularly intended :tor application to ice boxes or analogous cooling receptacles wherein the ice is placed directly ou the bottom. of the receptacle nr so close to the said bottom as to rendor the use of tube section impracticable, and in this iustance an opening 2? is tormed in the bottom 28, and at the upper eXtremity ot' the opening is a countersunk seat- 29. The tubes 10 and 16 are ot' the same Construction and have the same detail arrangement illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, and like reference uumerals are applied thereto. The inner tube 16 in this instance, however, is without the upper cap 19, but has an annular tlange 30 therein below the upper end of the same to receive the upper fianged end 31 of a drain tube section 32, the flanged end 31 bepacling 33 to closely bear on the aunular iange 30, and over the upper end of the draiuage tube section 32 is a foraminate or pertorate coyering or a strainer 34:.

As shown by Fig. 8, 'the cap 19 has a grip er handle movably attached thereto :for tacilitating withdrawal ot the inner tube 16 'from and redisposition of said tube in the outer tubular member or containing receptacle 10, and in this instance also the toraininate or perforate covering or strainer on the upper end ot the drain tube section 32 has a looking or retention bar 36 disposed thereover to hold the same down in place,

'the said bar 36 hai 'ing removable engagement with reversely projected clips 37 arpoints on the cap 19 and Operating to positiyely hold. the drain tube section and its strainer 3& in asscciated relation to the inner tube 16 during withdit-awal or insertion of the said inner tube with relation to the outer tubular member or containing receptacle 10 and until manual release ensues.

In the modified term ot' the device shown by Fg. (S, the Construction is similar in all respects to the form of the cup shown by Figs.1,2,3 and -1 with the exception that the drain tube section 23 is shorter than illustrated by Eigs. 1 and 2, and between the said shorter drain tube section and the drip pipe of the retrigerator an auxiliary coupling or connecting section 23 is interposed, the latter section being telescopically fitted on the drain tube 7 and movable upwardly and downwardly over the latter to disconnect or assemble the same with relation to the upper end of the shorter tube section By this means the drip cup with the tubular section 23 therein may be withdrawn from and inserted in the retrigerator without separating the said tube section from the inner tube 18 and outer tubular member or containing receptacle 10. In Operating this form of the device it only necessary to push the auxiliary tube section 23 upwardly over the drain pipe 7 to disconnect the lower end of said tube section from the upper eXtremity of the tube section .3 in withclrawing the cup from the retrigerator, and after the cup is reset in the retrigerator, connection with the drip or drain tube i" .may be readily accomplished b v drawing the auxiliary tube section 23 dowmvurdly and causing the lower end of said auxiliary tube section to enter the upper end oj the tube section 23, the auxiliary tube section 23 being provided with a circumfereutial tlange to bear snugly against the upper end ot' the tube section 23.

In the modified Construction shown by Fig. 7, the drain tube section 23 is similar to that shown by Figs. 1 and 2 and thereon is fitted a weight 38 which bears against the tlange 2% of the said drain tube section and operates to maintain the said fiange and the washer 25 in close contact with the cap 19 of the inner tube 16 and also to hold the flange 20 and washer 21 of the cap 19 downwardly on the tlange 14 of the outer tubular member or containing receptacle 10, and, furthernore, to establish a tight joint between the tlange 1-1 and its washer 15 with the upper portion of the wall of the opening 9 of the retrigerator. In other words, the weight ::S positively holds the separable parts of the cup in tight assemblage and prevents the cup parts from becoming accidentally disassociated or occupying loose positions, one with relation to another. In this Construction when the drain tube section 23 is separated from the inner tube 16 it is elevated or pushed upwardly over the drain tube 7 against the resistance of the weight 38, and after reassemblage of the cup with the opening in the refrigcrator the tube section 23 is reinserted in the inner tube 16 and the weight establishes a tight joint between the assembled parts of the cup, as just explained.

The improved device in its several forms may be applied to refrigerators and ice boxes or analogous devices now in use at a minimum expense, and the saving in the consumption of ice and other conveniences accruing from the use of the improved drip cup as hereinbefore enumerated will rendor the first cost of application of no moment. It is preterred that the several parts of the cup, including the drainage tube sections used in each instance, be formed of tin, Zinc or galvanized iron or any other non-corrosive material adapted 'or the purpose and the gaskets, packings, or washers are preferably formed from rubber.

The improved cup is exceptionally convenient and readily accessible and in View of the specific Construction hereinbefore explained will be found strong and durable and practically impossible :tor it to get out of order. Being easily detachable and applicable in operative positiom and composed of separable parts any one of the parts may be replaced by another of like Construction in the event of injury ther-eto to such an extent as to render it impractical without requifing a replacement oi the entire cup structure. Further, in View of the fact that the several parts of th cup are separable and may be thoroughly cleaned, the propagation of disease germs is prevented and the cup as a whole may be maintained in perfect sanitary condition at all times with very little trouble. It will also be understood that changes in the proportions and dimensions of the cup may beadopted at will to adapt the same to various applications.

hat is claimed is:

1. A cup for the purposes specified consisting of an outer tubular containing member having an outfiow opening above the lower extremity thereof, an inner tubular member rotatably mounted in the outer member and having a fully open lower end and an opening therein above the lower end to register with the outlet opening in the outer member, and a drainage tube section removably mounted in the said members.

2. A cup for the purposes specified consisting of outer and inner tubular members, the inner member being rotatable in the outer member and the outer member having a closed bottom and an outlet opening and a tubular drainage means projecting downwardly into the two members, a water seal being adapted to be formed below the outlet opening of the outer member and over the lower extremity of the inner tubular member and drainage tube section.

3. A cup tor the purposes specified consisting of outer and inner tubular members having gaskets at their upper bearing eX- tremities to form tight joints in relation to each other and the device to which they are applied, the outer member having a closed bottom and an outlet opening above the bottom and the inner member rotatable in the outer member and having a fully open lower end and also provided With an opening to register With that in the outer member, and a tubnlar drainage section projecting downwardly into the two members and also having a gasket to form a tight joint With the upper end of the inner member all of the parte of the cup being separable for cleaning purposes.

Jr. The combination With a cooling receptacle having a bottom opening, of a cup for the purposes specified removably inserted in the said opening from the interior of the receptacle and comprising separably associated outer and inner tubular members and a tubular drainage section projecting into said members, the outer and inner members having openings in the sides above the bottoms thereof and the inner member rotatable in the outer member.

.3. The combination With a cooling receptacle having a bottom opening and a drainage pipe disposed over said opening, ot a drip cup removably inserted in the said opening from the interior of the receptacle and comprising separably associated outer and inner tubular members and a. tnbular drainage section projecting into said members and telescopically fitted over the drainage pipe, the outer and inner members having openings in the sides above the bottom thereof and also provided With upper gaskets to form tight joints at their upper ends, the tnbular drainage section also having a gasket to form a tight joint With the upper end of the inner member.

G. The combination With a refrigerating receptacle having an opening therein, of a drip cup removably inserted in the said opening from the interior of the receptacle and eomprising separably associated outer and inner tubular members and having tubular drainage means communicatng With said members, the outer and inner members having openings in the sides above the bottoms thereof and the inner member rotatable in the outer member.

7. The combination With a cooling receptacle having a bottom opening and a drainage pipe disposed over said opening, of a drip cup removably inserted in the opening from the interior of the receptacle and comprising separably associated outer and inner tubnlar members and having tubular drainage means communicating therewth and telescopically fitted over the drainage pipe, the outer and inner members having openings -in the sides above the bottom thereof, and a Weight means engaging a portion of the tubular drainage means.

In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand. in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTUS MAY.

lVitnesses Jos. HEW, ANDnnW HEW. 

